Design, Formulation, and Physicochemical Evaluation of Vaginal Cream Containing Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Viola odorata, and Mentha piperita extracts for Prevention and Treatment of Trichomoniasis

BACKGROUND: Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted disease that is caused by infection with protozoan parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Metronidazole is the drug of choice for the treatment of this infection. In this study, design, formulation, and physicochemical evaluation of vaginal cream containing Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Viola odorata, and Mentha piperita extracts for the prevention and treatment of trichomoniasis has been investigated. METHODS: Ethyl acetate extract of E. camaldulensis leaves, water fraction of V. odorata root, and hydroalcoholic extract of M. piperita leaves was prepared and used for anti-trichomonas experiments. Then, based on results, different formulations of vaginal cream containing mixed extracts were prepared and physicochemical evaluation was conducted. In the next step, anti-trichomonas effect of selective formulation was tested in vitro. RESULTS: The mixed concentrates containing 2.5 mg/ml E. camaldulensis, 0.06 mg/ml V. odorata, and 1 mg/ml M. piperita showed 100% growth inhibition (GI) during 24 h. Furthermore, the mixture containing 1.25 mg/ml E. camaldulensis, 0.03 mg/ml V. odorata, and 0.5 mg/ml M. piperita showed 92% GI in the first 24 h. The selective formulation passed all of physicochemical test and also showed 100% GI for in vitro anti-trichomonas experiments in the first 24 h. CONCLUSIONS: The mixed concentrates containing 2.5 mg/ml E. camaldulensis, 0.06 mg/ml of V. odorata, and 1 mg/ml of M. piperita are the mixture which showed the highest percentage of GI (100%) after 24 h. The selective formulation of vaginal cream containing this mixture of extracts was detected 100% GI in the first 24 h.